How To Get TM17 Protect in Pokémon ORAS

Blastoise using Protect in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire

TM17 Protect can be bought for 10,000 Pokédollars on the fourth floor of the Lilycove Department Store. Both clerks on the department store’s fourth floor also sell other TMs.

Using Protect completely blocks (on that turn only) any attack or move directed at the user. However, its success rate is lowered significantly with each successive use.

As a move that almost every Pokémon can learn, Protect is great for learning what moves your opponent has. You can also use it to stall a turn for Toxic to deal more damage. In double battles, it helps you prevent harming your own Pokémon from multi-hit moves, like Earthquake and Surf.

That’s barely scratching the surface, as Protect is arguably one the most versatile moves in Pokémon history.

TM17 Protect Location

The Lilycove Department Store is a multi-level PokéMart located on the north side of Lilycove City, a coastal city east of Route 121.

If you haven’t been to Lilycove City yet, make sure you’ve first:

  • Obtained the sixth Gym Badge from Winona, the Gym Leader from Fortree City
  • Explored Route 121

Now that you’re set, head to Lilycove City’s entrance through Route 121’s east exit.

Once you’re in Lilycove City, here’s where to buy TM17 Protect in Lilycove Department Store:

Step 1: Head east until you pass through Lilycove City’s Pokémon Center.

Entering Lilycove City / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Entering Lilycove City

Step 2: Before you climb up the staircase, be prepared to battle your Rival.

Passing through Lilycove City’s Pokémon Center / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Passing through Lilycove City’s Pokémon Center

Step 3: After you win the battle, climb up the staircase and head north.

Your Rival challenging you to a battle / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Your Rival challenging you to a battle

Step 4: Then, head northwest and enter Lilycove Department Store.

The entrance to Lilycove Department Store / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
The entrance to Lilycove Department Store

Step 5: Using the elevator, go to the fourth floor of the Department Store.

On the first floor of Lilycove Department Store / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
On the first floor of Lilycove Department Store

Step 6: Finally, head east and the bottom clerk will sell TMs, including TM17 Protect.

On the fourth floor of Lilycove Department Store / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
On the fourth floor of Lilycove Department Store

The top clerk sells various damage-dealing TMs, while the bottom clerk sells defensive status TMs. Here’s a complete list of what they sell:

Top Clerk TMs List
TM Price
TM14 (Blizzard) 30,000
TM25 (Thunder) 30,000
TM38 (Fire Blast) 30,000
TM52 (Focus Blast) 30,000
TM71 (Stone Edge) 30,000
TM15 (Hyper Beam) 50,000
TM68 (Giga Impact) 50,000
Bottom Clerk TMs List
TM Price
TM16 (Light Screen) 10,000
TM17 (Protect) 10,000
TM20 (Safeguard) 10,000
TM33 (Reflect) 10,000

Protect Details + Uses

In-game details for TM17 Protect / Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
In-game details for TM17 Protect
Protect Move Details
Type Normal
Category Status
Power
Accuracy
PP 10 (max. 16)

Using Protect defends the user from all moves that target it, regardless if it’s a status or damaging move. Every consecutive use of Protect lowers its success rate by 1/3, making it virtually useless after the first two uses.

The only moves that can bypass Protect are:

  • Feint
  • Hyperspace Fury
  • Hyperspace Hole
  • Phantom Force
  • Shadow Force

And these are all moves that are rarely used.

In Single Battles, Protect can still be very useful. Protect can provide information on your opponent’s moves or possible strategies.

Protect can also stall a turn for Toxic or Will-O-Wisp to deal one more turn of damage, or to receive healing from Leftovers or Wish. However, if you become too predictable with Protect, you might give your opponent one free turn.

In Double Battles, Protect is a bit more useful.

Take Earthquake, for example – it’s a powerful move that deals massive damage to all Pokémon on the field. With Protect, you can defend your own Pokémon from your multi-hit moves.

However, baiting your opponent’s attacks is the most popular way of using Protect in double battles.

By predicting which Pokémon your opponent is going to hit and using Protect on the same turn, your opponent can waste their turn attempting to attack the Protecting Pokémon, leaving you to use your second Pokémon for a free attack.

StormSwampert

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Though he spends most of his time playing a wide variety of games, Pokémon has always been his favorite. When he’s not playing games or writing guides, you can find him watching anime and collecting trading cards.

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